Staff Writer
The challenges girls in Zimbabwe face remain important, including the risk of becoming pregnant or married at an early age, experts said.
In a joint statement ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child on 11 October, the European Union and Unicef Zimbabwe have highlighted the role of adolescent girls and young women play in the development of Zimbabwe.
“Adolescent pregnancies and child marriage are widespread in Zimbabwe. One woman out of three is married before the age of 18.
“Child marriage has a devastating impact on the lives of adolescent girls,” the statement reads.
“It disrupts childhood and often leads to early pregnancies with health complications, and school drop-out, preventing girls from developing their full potential.
This year’s commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child in Zimbabwe is marked by the adoption of the Marriages Act and the expected positive impact that its full implementation will have on adolescent girls and on the country.
“To end child marriage the perception of the role of women in society needs to change.
“Adolescent girls need to be given the opportunity to develop their full potential as equal members in society,” the Statement reads.
“Luckily, that message is gathering growing support and momentum, also in Zimbabwe.”
The awareness campaign launched a few months ago by UNICEF Zimbabwe and its partners to collect pledges to empower women and adolescent girls and to end child marriage has already been signed by more than 1000 people throughout the country.
“Adolescent girls are worth the investment. When girls thrive, we all thrive.
“Adolescent girls have shown time and time again that given the skills and the opportunities, they can be the change-makers driving progress in their communities, building back stronger for all, including women, boys and men.
The European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe and UNICEF Zimbabwe want to renew their engagement to join forces with the Government and its partners to continue to invest towards the development and empowerment of adolescent girls.
“Equipped with the right resources, opportunities and an enabling environment, these girls will become a powerful generation of female leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers building Zimbabwe into a prosperous country for all.”
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